Barasa to Nyong’o: Don’t be used to settle political scores

By Jabali Media

Kakamega governor Fernandes Barasa has urged Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) interim party leader Anyang' Nyong’o to enlist democracy while leading the political outfit.

Last week, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna announced that Nyong’o will lead the party on an interim basis, as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga focusses on campaigns, as he seeks to be elected the next African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson. 

Elections will be held in February, in 2024. 

In Raila’s absence, Barasa said Nyong’o who doubles up as Kisumu governor should not fall in the trap of leaders who may seek ‘to use him’ to settle political scores.

“I know you’re a man of wisdom. I want you please, not to be used by a few politicians to settle political scores in Kakamega county,” said Barasa.

The governor spoke over the weekend, as wrangles continue to rock the County Assembly of Kakamega over the rightful leader of Majority in law making organ, between Philip Maina and Geoffrey Ondiro.

Governor Barasa who is also the chairman of ODM in Kakamega County says as far as he is concerned, Maina is the Majority Leader, pouring cold water that Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted him out, in favour of Ondiro.

“The record I have is that the Majority Leader in the County Assembly of Kakamega who was duly elected by all the MCAs is none other than Maina. Those others who were elected in funerals with a few MCAs we don’t recognize, and we shall not allow somebody to force a ‘Minority Majority Leader’ who was elected by 10 MCAs to lead the County Assembly of Kakamega.”

He urged the party leadership to ensure democracy becomes the guiding principle of their decision making.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna recently summoned the governor, county assembly speaker James Namatsi and former majority leader Philip Maina, over wrangles in the assembly leadership.

He accused the trio of frustrating a decision of the party to replace Maina with Geoffrey Ondiro as the majority leader, an accusation refuted by Barasa.